And with Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko announcing last night that he was also Tyneside-bound, Pardew says he now has the catalyst to turn Newcastle's season around starting at Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Pardew said: "He is going to stay with us and will remain as captain which is fantastic news for us. We have managed to persuade him that more importantly, as much as his family (need him) we need him too, and fantastic loyalty to come and play and see us through to the summer at the very least.

"It's a situation where me and Colo have been on a personal journey to make sure he understands that he has a big responsibility to the fans and to families at this club. We were relegated before and people lost their jobs here. It means we need our captain and I'm pleased to say he has accepted that.

"He appreciates the situation we are in. I think he understands the responsibility he has to this football club. It's not life or death if you go down, but it's life changing for a football team and employees. We need our captain to lead us out."

Sissoko said: "I chose England because it's the league that suits me best, Newcastle because they're a very big club even if the situation is difficult at the moment.

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Coming to Newcastle: Moussa Sissoko in action for France

"So many French players at Newcastle helped in my choice. I hope things will go well for me over there and France will keep selecting me. I ran the risk of no longer playing at Toulouse so needed to find a solution and I'll give everything for my new club."

Pardew needs a quick upturn in fortunes after being backed by the club with new signings.

He said: "Something that needed to be sorted out this week after the Reading game. The Reading game was a watershed moment for me.

"If you look at the signings closely there isn't a quick fix in there which is what some teams have tried to do in the past when they are in a relegation position. We've been bold, we've got players who have to understand the Premier League is different, they've got to settle quickly.

"There is a vision from these players, they're not going to be moved on in the summer, they are here for the next three or four years.

"Every day as manager of Newcastle United is exciting, trust me. I've had another one today. I think it's going to be difficult.

"It's a lift. I can feel that lift by 100 per cent, but the bigger lift is Coloccini and Cabaye because we won't sign two better players than them in the transfer window. One is up to full speed and the other is staying until the summer and hopefully they will lead us to safety."

Pardew has no trouble with his 11 strong French contingent, saying he doesn't care where they come from.

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Common language: Alan Pardew says his French players will have to learn English

On possible language problems he said: "I speak to my French players and say I will speak in English and they all need to learn English very quickly for their education and for the team.

"We talk in English on the pitch. French dialogue can go on among themselves, but they have to understand English and understand me. One or two of them are a bit limited and need to practice."

Pardew hit back at Arsene Wenger's claim that clubs should not be able to make wholesale changes to their team in January, with a limit to two signings.

Pardew said: "Arsene Wenger wants 12 racing cars that are all the same and he's the best manager so he wins. It doesn't work like that, you can't complain about managers' decisions.

"Thats his opinion, hes entitled to his opinion, but the rules are the rules and we have followed them."